Foreplay Radio – Couples and Sex Therapy

Did you know there are different types of touch? In today's episode, Laurie and George share the work of sex researcher Barry McCarthy on the different types of touch and why they matter. Join us in learning about affectionate, non-demand pleasure and sensual/erotic touch. All kinds of touch are important for emotional and sexual connection. Yet, a quick shift from affectionate to sexual touch can trigger the negative cycle. Our hosts will help listeners understand the differences and when and where to engage in each style. If you've been in a pattern where a hug can lead to sex or to an argument this episode will shine light on what happened and what to do next. Make sure to follow along as we work on rebranding our pod and on our exciting upcoming events!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What sexual cues turn women on? Here’s a hint—interest is sexy! 32% of women lack sexual interest, according to a research study by Meston & McCall, “Cues Resulting in Sexual Desire for Women.” The study found that increased sexual cues resulted in increased frequency for females. In this episode, we’ll talk about the many cues that trigger a woman’s desire!  Female sexual desire has a more emotional component to it; Women are more externally triggered in relationship factors and setting; connection and presence. What kind of cues increase her desire? Let’s get specific. In this episode, Laurie and George break down the cues from the study: emotional bonding cues, erotic/explicit cues, visual/proximity cues, and romantic/implicit cues.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Laurie is joined by Urologist and men's health expert Dr. Dan Khera-McRackan of Raleigh, NC. Men of varied ages experience issues with premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and prostate health. Dr. Dan joins us today to reassure men and provide confidence in seeking treatment for these issues. He explains how hormones impact male anatomy, that anxiety is often a driver of ED and successful ways to break this cycle including medicine and psychotherapy. While these experiences may be temporarily embarrassing with treatment, support and communication they are often easily resolved and improve relationship health. They warn against ignoring these issues because you may be feeling embarrassed as they could be indicators of underlying health conditions. Both experts recommend that men seek treatment early and begin having regular prostate checks at age 45. Laurie reminds men, "Don't rest, get the test!"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our world with its focus on physical perfection, we all have aspects of our body which we criticize, and even avoid looking at in the mirror. These critical thoughts can intrude before, during, and after sex, diminishing our ability to be in the moment with our partner. We talk through this thorny issue as an example of how to begin to address it with your partner.Check out our sponsor: ⁠Uberlube⁠ for the best in siilcone-based lubricants! As George says, silicone makes everything is a little bit better. Get 10% off with the coupon code 'foreplay'! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we are joined by couple therapy expert and EFT trainer Rebecca Jorgensen. We discuss ways to tend the flame in the bedroom; practices couples can utilize for security and safety to increase their pleasure and have more fun! Dr. Jorgensen leads us in a conversation on what happens to the body and arousal when we don't feel safe and what partners need to do to maintain and improve safety. When our bodies feel safe, tended to and cared for, sex is more playful, creative and adventurous. Want to invite something new into your sexual routine? This episode will teach you how to do it the right way, the conversation you need to have before you try this and how partners can work together to navigate this in the bedroom. Rebecca and Laurie are hosting a women's only retreat in Salt Lake City, November 5th and 6th. The focus of the retreat will be honoring your body and exploring eroticism, femininity and ways to embody your sexual self! If you are always taking care of others and the ticker tape to-do list runs through your head during sex, this retreat is for you. Head over to our website www.foreplayrst.com to sign up today! Check out Dr. Jorgensen's web presence: EFT Counseling and Education Center: https://www.eftcounseling.org/our-clinic/our-clinical-team/   Building A Lasting Connection, Connection System®L: https://www.buildingalastingconnection.com/mentor-connection-system/   Intensive Couple Therapy: https://drrebeccajorgensen.com/intensive-couple-therapy/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes sex is awesome; sometimes not. This episode shows you how to turn up the heat when it's not! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are answering the question 'why we need each other to feel safe?' Join hosts, Laurie and George as they breakdown the definition and importance of co-regulation. A necessary experience beginning in childhood and spanning the life cycle ,co-regulation is the process of someone being responsive to our distress and needs. We don't outgrow this need but we do get better at self-regulation as we get older. The need for co-regulation shows up in our adult intimate relationships all the time. If you think about it, you most certainly know when it goes wrong! Listen in today as we discuss how co-regulation shows up in the sexual cycle and how the safety it provides is the launchpad to adventure and exploration. Are orgasms co-regulating? Download this show today and hear how! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve talked about the cycle before and we’re talking about it again. This time we explore what EFT calls Stage 2. Why? because after de-escalating conflict there’s more to do to get closer with your partner! Join Laurie and George for this episode to understand how your moves and your partners moves impact one another and the deeper, unseen meanings they have. When we start to understand the good reasons we are missing each other there is opportunity to connect. Does your partner’s criticism represent their hope for the relationship? Does their silence mean they are trying to keep the pressure low? Hear how we flip the script to help you keep it hot!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are digging deep into sexual fears and how to ask for help. This is a quintessential move to shift partners from a negative cycle to a positive one. When we are able to see how we are protecting and what we are protecting we can uncover the true need and ask for help. Join Laurie and George, in this conversation as they provide real fear examples and how to ask your partner to meet your needs. As the receiving partner it can feel like pressure to fix or solve when this vulnerability is spoken. Our hosts will guide listeners on how to provide the best empathic response to promote care, connection and co-regulation. Joining one another in the stress and not being left alone is a key move to shifting the relationship to a new dynamic and facing fears together. Get brave with us today as we face our sexual fears and ask for the help we need! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laurie and George define secrets as issues, fantasies or alliances that block connection. We certainly have a right to privacy and sometimes our private erotic thoughts makes our world sexier and makes us more available to our partner. Certainly some people choose and open marriage but they do it with… openness. we think talking about your fantasies or actual affairs with your a partner while incredibly difficult makes it possible for YOU not to be carrying the guilt of a secret that you find unethical and against your promise.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're celebrating our 500th episode of Foreplay Sex Therapy! Join our hosts, Laurie and George as they look back on their favorite episodes so far, how their professional journey began and what they have learned from each other over the years. We are thrilled that our listeners are learning how to have healthy conversations around sex and reducing the stigma and shame around something that everyone does! Share with us your favorite episodes or key things you've learned over on our instagram page or leave us a review wherever you stream episodes. Whether it's how to be more intentional around these conversations, or how to spice things up in the bedroom we'd love to hear from our listeners. And thank you to all of you for your listens, downloads, shares and reviews. This wouldn't be possible without our amazing audience. Stay tuned as we have so much more to share and as we continually work to strengthen connections in love relationships. Keep it hot y'all! Congratulations! Huge accomplishment! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She needs more foreplay and he doesn’t wanna lose his erection. Women need a slow patter of arousal to reach the best climax. Men when they’re on sildenafil (viagra, etc.) need to use their erection - soon. This is a familiar dilemma for couples in their 50s. George and Laurie role-play a couple who learns how to talk about this problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does introducing sexual novelty spice things up or turn things sour? Join us today for a conversation on how and when to introduce bringing something new into the bedroom? Research suggests that novelty in long-term relationships is key to keeping them alive but in the sexual relationship it has the potential to create a rift. George and Laurie breakdown the best way to structure this conversation to increase chances of successful communication, how one partner's gas pedal may trigger another partner's brake and how to apply the caregiving cycle if the situation gets a bit tense. If you've been thinking about how to approach adding some spice to your bedroom routine, you're not going to want to miss this episode. Tag us on instagram with your fails and nails conversations on this topic. We'd love to know what works and what didn't, all to help you 'keep it hot y'all!' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many women seem to just give up on sex. Maybe they reach menopause and they’re done with sex. Or maybe well before menopause , she and her partner haven’t gotten through to each other and sex stops. Or if sex continues, she just is unengaged. How can something that feels so good be relegated to such a low/no priority? Here’s why. Females who don’t want to have sex are often stopped in 3 areas:the relationship - especially lack of communication,worry areas – disgust about certain sex acts, poor body image, or fear about not pleasing their partnerpleasure – loss of interest when she doesn’t climax or experience pleasure. George and Laurie discuss these areas and role play an initial conversation as a couple talking about her sexual blocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we discuss the messages we received about sex and who taught us about it. Join hosts, Laurie and George in this exploration to uncover 'who taught me about sex and what lessons did I receive?' For many, you may have received a one time birds and the bees conversation from your parents or through a mandatory sex ed lesson at school. However, communication about sex is much more than a one time conversation.  It is a process through which we exchange thoughtful ideas and openness for questions about intimacy. Perhaps you intercepted messaging from religion, culture, music or a peer on the back of the school bus. The origins of how you learned about sex can inform much of your connection to sex present day. It's time to get curious listeners and ask yourself and your partner what and from whom did I learn about sex? What messages did I receive and what beliefs did I form? These questions can help you dig deep and identify blocks, needs, desires or fantasies which when communicated about have the potential to be life changing. Keep it hot, y'all! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices